Brian Jeffrey
Delve into the cultural, historical, religious, and artistic accomplishments of one of Southeast Asia’s earliest civilizations through these remarkable artifacts.
An Giang, a province in the south, boasts eight national treasures from the ancient Oc Eo culture, which dates back over 3,500 years. While two treasures are housed in the Oc Eo Cultural Exhibition House in Thoai Son district, the remaining six are exhibited at the An Giang Museum in Long Xuyen City.
The Oc Eo culture was a part of the ancient Funan Kingdom, one of the early civilizations in Southeast Asia, existing from the 1st to the 7th century AD. In 1944, French archaeologist Louis Malleret unearthed Oc Eo relics at the Oc Eo mound in Vong The commune, Thoai Son district, An Giang province.
One of the notable treasures is the Mukhalinga Ba The, dating back to the 6th century and designated as a national treasure in 2023. Carved from fine-grained gray-black sandstone, this artifact features a mukha (face) that symbolizes the deity Shiva.
Standing at 91 cm tall and 20–22 cm wide, the linga represents significant Indian cultural influences, showcasing the cultural exchange between the Oc Eo civilization and Indian traditions.
Another remarkable find is the Linga-Yoni set, unearthed in 1985 at the Da Noi site and declared a national treasure in 2018. This unique artifact, made of gold and brass and dating back to the 5th–6th centuries, symbolizes Hindu religious concepts related to creation, demonstrating the artistic skills of ancient craftsmen.
The Giong Xoai Buddha statue, dating from the 4th–6th centuries, is sculpted from solid sao wood. Measuring 2.7 meters in height and weighing 94 kg, this statue was recognized as a national treasure in 2019, showcasing a blend of Indian Theravada Buddhist influences and local artistic expressions despite some damage.
Although partially damaged, the Giong Xoai Buddha statue reveals the rich cultural interactions during the Oc Eo period, incorporating Indian Theravada Buddhist influences with local artistic styles.
The Brahma statue from Giong Xoai, discovered in 1983 and dating back to the 6th–7th centuries, is a unique piece reflecting the cultural and artistic exchanges between the Oc Eo civilization and Indian culture, representing the only Brahma statue from that era.
Standing at 71.2 cm tall and weighing 33 kg, the Khanh Binh Stone Buddha is a finely detailed sandstone statue depicting the Buddha in a balanced standing pose, reflecting the Theravada Buddhist traditions and artistic exchanges of the Oc Eo culture.
The Linh Son Linga-Yoni, discovered in 1985 at Linh Son Pagoda in Thoai Son district and recognized as a national treasure in 2020, showcases a blend of two distinct stone materials, emphasizing its aesthetic and religious importance.
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Aside from these treasures, the An Giang Museum also houses various other Oc Eo artifacts, providing insights into Vietnam’s heroic past, diverse cultural heritage, and the development of An Giang province.
